The Kitchen Guard Franchise (an EverSmith Brands company) is a B2B service franchise specializing in kitchen exhaust cleaning, fire safety compliance, and related maintenance services for restaurants, hotels, schools, healthcare facilities, and other food-service operators.
According to its FDD, the estimated initial investment ranges from $197,950 to $264,150*, which includes a franchise fee of $49,000–$54,000*.
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This article is sponsored by Kitchen Guard. The content has been created in partnership with the brand to provide insights into its business model and franchise opportunities.
This guide breaks down the investment structure, training and support, operations model, and competitive advantages of Kitchen Guard—helping aspiring franchisees understand how this brand fits into the essential services sector.
Who Owns Kitchen Guard and What’s the Brand Story?
Kitchen Guard was founded in 2009 in San Diego, California, by Nathan Leathers, originally operating as Green Guard Services. The company began franchising in 2023 and has since become part of EverSmith Brands, a multi-concept platform backed by the Riverside Company, which supports more than 50 franchise systems across diverse industries.
From its inception, Kitchen Guard has focused on a clear and essential mission: protecting commercial kitchens from fire hazards while ensuring operators remain compliant with NFPA 96 standards. Because kitchen exhaust cleaning is a mandatory regulatory requirement—not an optional service—the brand transformed this compliance-driven necessity into a franchise model that is repeatable, professionalized, and scalable.
By combining operational efficiency with strong franchisor support, Kitchen Guard has quickly gained traction nationwide. As of late 2025, the brand has awarded more than 100 territories in just 14 months, making it one of the fastest-growing service concepts within the EverSmith Brands portfolio. Its rapid adoption underscores the demand for essential fire safety services and the appeal of its streamlined B2B model for entrepreneurs.
How Much Does a Kitchen Guard Franchise Cost?
Launching a Kitchen Guard Franchise requires an estimated total investment between $197,950 and $264,150*. This range covers the initial franchise fee, equipment, vehicles, training, marketing, and three months of working capital to support early operations.
Below is a detailed breakdown of the startup expenditures, as outlined in the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD):
| Category | Low Estimate* | High Estimate* |
| Initial Franchise Fee | $49,000 | $49,000 |
| Training | $1,200 | $3,800 |
| Equipment, Inventory, Supplies & Marketing Materials | $52,500 | $77,350 |
| Rent (3 months) | $3,750 | $18,000 |
| Tenant Improvements | $1,000 | $7,000 |
| Vehicle Expenses | $3,000 | $6,000 |
| Computer Equipment, Phones & Technology Fees | $3,000 | $5,000 |
| Miscellaneous | $5,500 | $9,000 |
| Local Marketing | $5,000 | $5,000 |
| Additional Funds (3 months) | $74,000 | $84,000 |
| Total Estimated Investment | $197,950 | $264,150 |
*Disclaimer: Figures are taken from the brand’s Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD). Actual costs vary based on market conditions, local lease rates, vehicle costs, and other factors.
The largest investments are in equipment, inventory, and working capital, which reflects the hands-on, compliance-driven nature of kitchen exhaust cleaning and fire safety services. Compared to facility-based franchises, Kitchen Guard keeps overhead relatively lean by focusing on a mobile, service-based model.
What Services Does Kitchen Guard Provide?
The Kitchen Guard Franchise is more than just a cleaning service—it’s a multi-revenue stream model designed around compliance and safety for commercial kitchens. Its services address both regulatory requirements and ongoing operational needs, making it a trusted partner for food-service operators.
Core Services Offered:
- Exhaust Hood & Duct Cleaning: NFPA 96–compliant exhaust system cleaning to prevent grease buildup and reduce fire hazards. This is a critical requirement for restaurants, hotels, schools, healthcare facilities, and other commercial kitchens.
- Filter Exchange Program: Recurring service visits to clean, replace, or swap filters. This creates predictable, repeat demand while helping operators maintain efficiency and pass inspections.
- Green Steam Cleaning: Eco-friendly, vapor-based cleaning methods for kitchen surfaces and ductwork. This sustainable approach reduces chemical use and reinforces the brand’s commitment to safer environments.
- Technical Repairs & Maintenance: Light repair services for hinges, fans, grease containment systems, and door hardware—addressing the small but essential fixes that keep kitchens compliant and running smoothly.
By combining fire safety compliance with ongoing maintenance and eco-friendly cleaning, Kitchen Guard positions itself as a one-stop solution for commercial kitchen safety. This not only broadens revenue opportunities for franchisees but also strengthens customer relationships by delivering essential, repeatable services that operators cannot delay or ignore.
A Day in the Life of a Kitchen Guard Franchisee
Running a Kitchen Guard Franchise blends business management, local sales, and oversight of service crews delivering fire safety and kitchen exhaust compliance. While trained technicians handle the specialized cleaning and maintenance, franchisees focus on leadership, client relationships, and long-term growth.
Morning: The day begins by reviewing schedules, compliance logs, and job readiness for the crew. Owners check inventory, ensure vehicles are stocked with supplies, and confirm the day’s projects align with customer compliance timelines.
Midday: This part of the day often includes business development—making sales calls, meeting with potential clients such as restaurants, schools, hotels, or healthcare facilities, and handling administrative tasks like invoicing and staff coordination.
Afternoon and Evening: Service crews typically perform exhaust hood cleanings, filter exchanges, or steam cleaning after kitchens close, minimizing disruption to daily operations. Franchisees may be on-site to oversee work, meet with managers, and ensure compliance documentation is properly logged.
Ongoing Focus: Beyond daily scheduling, franchise owners network with local food-service operators, attend community events, and build long-term customer relationships. Strategic planning is also part of the rhythm, ensuring a steady pipeline of recurring contracts and compliance-driven accounts.
The role provides a balance between hands-on leadership and scalable management. With a model designed around compliance, repeat service, and safety, franchisees build lasting partnerships in their local markets while relying on trained crews to deliver essential services.
Training and Support for Kitchen Guard Franchise Owners
Kitchen Guard places a strong emphasis on preparing new owners for success, offering both technical training and ongoing business coaching designed to simplify operations and drive long-term growth.
Initial Training
Franchisees begin with a structured certification program that blends classroom instruction and hands-on fieldwork. The curriculum covers technical skills in kitchen exhaust cleaning, compliance protocols tied to NFPA 96 standards, sales strategy, and business management fundamentals. This ensures owners understand both the operational side of the service and how to build lasting customer relationships.
Ongoing Coaching
Support doesn’t stop after launch. Franchisees receive continuous coaching focused on sales planning, lead generation, and digital marketing strategies. Regular field updates and best-practice sharing help owners stay aligned with evolving industry standards and keep their businesses running efficiently.
EverSmith Brands Platform
As part of EverSmith Brands, Kitchen Guard franchisees benefit from shared resources across a larger family of service brands. This includes access to franchise development coaching, national marketing reach, and cross-brand visibility that can create additional growth opportunities.
Technology Tools
Owners also gain access to proprietary technology for scheduling, compliance documentation, customer communication, and reporting. These systems simplify daily operations, ensure accurate record-keeping for regulatory requirements, and strengthen professional communication with clients.
The combination of certified training, continuous coaching, platform-level support, and advanced technology tools helps franchisees focus on what matters most—building local relationships and growing recurring revenue—while reducing the complexity of backend operations.
Who Is the Ideal Kitchen Guard Franchise Owner?
The Kitchen Guard Franchise attracts entrepreneurs who want to combine essential B2B services with a scalable business model. You don’t need a technical trade background to succeed—owners thrive when they bring strong leadership skills, a customer-first mindset, and the ability to build long-term business relationships.
Relationship-Driven Operators
Successful franchisees enjoy networking with restaurant managers, school administrators, hotel operators, and healthcare facility directors. Building trust with B2B clients is central to generating recurring service contracts and referrals.
Team Leaders
Franchise owners are responsible for managing and scheduling service crews. Strong organizational skills and the ability to coach employees ensure that jobs are completed efficiently and in compliance with NFPA 96 fire safety standards.
Compliance-Minded Entrepreneurs
Because kitchen exhaust cleaning is a regulatory requirement, ideal owners value a compliance-driven, recurring-revenue model. They understand the importance of reliability, documentation, and consistency in a business where clients depend on them to pass inspections.
Accessible Yet Scalable
Kitchen Guard offers a lower-cost entry point into the essential services sector compared to facility-heavy franchises. This makes it appealing for career changers and investors alike, especially those looking for a business that can scale through multiple crews and territories.
Diverse Backgrounds Welcome
Many owners come from sales, operations, or facilities management backgrounds, but no specific experience is required. With comprehensive training, proprietary tools, and ongoing support, the franchise equips individuals from various walks of life to build a profitable and sustainable business.
By blending leadership, organization, and a relationship-driven approach, the ideal Kitchen Guard owner can leverage the franchise’s proven systems to grow a business with recurring demand in the foodservice sector.
Competitive Advantages of the Kitchen Guard Franchise.
Kitchen Guard positions itself as more than just a cleaning service. It’s a compliance-driven, B2B essential service franchise with clear differentiators in the marketplace. Here’s why it stands out:
Recurring, Compliance-Driven Demand
Unlike discretionary services, kitchen exhaust cleaning is mandated by NFPA 96 fire safety standards and enforced by health inspections. This means customers are not only motivated by safety but also legally required to keep their systems in compliance—creating predictable, recurring demand.
Multiple Revenue Streams
Franchisees aren’t limited to one line of business. In addition to exhaust hood and duct cleaning, services include filter exchange programs, light technical repairs, grease containment solutions, and eco-friendly green steam cleaning. This diversification helps build stronger customer relationships and increases revenue opportunities per account.
Professional Branding vs. Fragmented Competition
Many operators in the industry are independent “man-in-a-van” providers with inconsistent service quality. Kitchen Guard enters the market with professional branding, structured systems, and EverSmith’s franchising expertise, giving franchisees credibility and a competitive edge when bidding for contracts with restaurants, hotels, schools, and healthcare facilities.
EverSmith Platform Backing
As part of EverSmith Brands, a Riverside Company portfolio group with more than 50 franchise systems, Kitchen Guard benefits from shared resources, national account development, supply chain efficiencies, and experienced franchise coaching. This corporate infrastructure helps franchisees scale faster and more confidently than independent operators.
Lifestyle-Friendly Structure
Unlike emergency restoration businesses, most Kitchen Guard services are scheduled maintenance jobs, often performed after regular business hours when kitchens are closed. This structure gives franchisees a degree of flexibility and predictability, making it easier to balance operations with long-term growth planning.
Together, these advantages create a sustainable business model in an essential services niche. Kitchen Guard combines regulatory necessity, diversified services, and platform-level backing—making it an appealing choice for entrepreneurs seeking stability and scalability in the B2B franchise space.
FAQ: Kitchen Guard Franchise
How much does it cost to open a Kitchen Guard Franchise?
The estimated initial investment is $197,950 to $264,150*, including a $49,000–$54,000* franchise fee and three months of working capital.
What does the Kitchen Guard Franchise do?
It provides commercial kitchen exhaust cleaning, filter programs, green steam services, and light repairs—services required by fire codes and health regulations.
Who owns Kitchen Guard?
The brand was founded in 2009 and is part of EverSmith Brands, a franchise platform backed by Riverside Company.
What training is included?
Franchisees receive technical certification, sales and marketing coaching, ongoing support calls, and access to EverSmith’s shared services.
Is there competition in this market?
Competition exists, but it’s highly fragmented. Kitchen Guard positions itself as a professional, compliant alternative to small independent vendors.
What kind of owner fits best?
Owners with B2B sales or operations experience excel, but no prior technical experience is required.
Is Kitchen Guard the Right Franchise for You?
The Kitchen Guard Franchise offers entrepreneurs the chance to operate in an essential, compliance-driven niche within the foodservice industry. Because every commercial kitchen must maintain exhaust systems, filters, and fire safety measures to meet NFPA 96 standards, franchisees serve a demand that is non-discretionary and recurring.
This model is particularly appealing for owners who want to:
- Build a B2B route-based service with predictable scheduling and repeat clients.
- Operate with low overhead using vehicles and small crews, rather than large facilities.
- Leverage multiple revenue streams, from exhaust hood cleaning and filter exchange to repairs, steam cleaning, and maintenance programs.
- Scale with the support of EverSmith Brands, gaining access to coaching, marketing systems, and supply chain benefits that independent providers often lack.
With its combination of regulatory necessity, scalability, and professional brand positioning, Kitchen Guard gives franchisees a strong foundation in the essential services space.
